Signaling-horn.



G F. VOIGHT. lGNALlNG HORN. A'PP-LIcATmN man JULY 3. 1916 Patented Aug. 7 1917.

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. if E as GEORGE F. VOIGHT, OF SAN FRANCISCd, CALIFORNIA.

SEGNA LING-HORN.

Specification of Letters Patent.

rammed aw. a, rear.

Application filed July 3, 1916. Serial No. 107,333.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, Gnoncn F. VouiHT, a

citizen of the United States, residing at San signaling horns, such as are employed on automobiles or similar vehicles, to give av warning of the approafch of the vehicle, and while I have designed it especially for this use, it is obviously adapted for other uses.

One of the objects of my invention being to provide a horn that can, at the option of the operator, be operated either by hand or by electrical means, or by both of said means at the same time/5 Other objects of my in vention will appear as the description proceeds, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed can be made within the scope of what is claimed without. departing from the spirit of the invention. I

In the accompanying drawings illustrating the invention Figure 1 is a side sectional view ofg'the horn, certain portions being broken away, and other portions being shown in elevation.

Fig. 2 is a top sectional view of the horn on line A. A, in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a rearend sectional view of the horn on line B B, Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a side sectional view of a portion of the horn in a modified form, on a line relative to the horn, indicated by line C C,

Fig. 5 is a sectional end view of the central plunger member forming a portion of the h m, in the said modified form.

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of one of the parts forming a portion of the horn in the said modified form, and is drawn on a scale- 3 3 forward struck and to which is secured by suitable means the said forward portion of the said diaphragm assembly. a suitable mounting portion 4. which may be extended outwardly at right angles to the flat side of the lower portion of the framepeice 1, or it may be a direct downward continuation of it, suitable holes 5 for the terminals 6 and G and suitable screw-bolt holes 7. To the front flat side of'the frame piece 1 is suitably fitted a suitable resonator 8, and to the rear flat side thereof are fitted cover pieces 9, 10 and 11 by suitable screw-bolts 12, 12 and 13; the screw-bolts 12 and 12 also performingother functions. The said diaphragm assembly, hereinbefore mentioned, consists of two flexible, vibratable, diaphragms 14 and 1r, which may be made of any suitable material, disposed flat side to flatside, spaced a suitable distance from each other and approximately parallel with each other, a plunger 15 centrally disposed between said two diaphragms, actuating springs 16 and 16 one or more of I said springs being disposed on both the upper and lower sides of thesaid plunger 15 v and between it and the said diaphragms 14 and 14, a suitable spacing ring 17, stiffening rings 18 and 18, insulating rings 19 and 19 and an electromagnet assembly consisting of a core 20, winding 27, yoke 21, contact spring 22, armature 23, armature fingers-24, armature spring 25, contact spring adjust ing screw 26 and suitable circuit means.

The forward portion of the said diaphragm assembly is secured, as herein'before mentioned, to the tongues 3, 3, and the rearward portion is secured bythe cover pieces 9, 10 and 11. The cover piece 9 being in the form of a band passing around the back and sides of the said diaphragm assembly, with its ends extending to the rear side of the frame piece 1 and terminating in lips 32, 32, by which means it is suitably fastened to said frame piece. The said cover piece 9 having a rear end aperture for the passage of the plunger 15. The cover piece 'disposed against the rear side of the frame piece 1 and adjacent its upper edge, and an off-set 33 struck downward forming a lip 34 which is disposed against the top rearward portion of the diaphragm assembly and suitably fastened thereto. The cover; piece 11 is open atfthe top andfront sides, has a cirpular rear side, the upper portion of which is attached by means of a lip struck outwardly and extending along around said open sides or edges, to the rear in one piece, or two p eces or any suitable 1 number of pieces; nor need it be shaped and the lower diaphragm 14 strictly on lines illustrated and described. lnterposed between theupper diaphragm 141- is the spacing ring '17, which may be made of metal or other suitable material, has through its front and rear walls suitable guide'holes 36 in which is slidably disposed the plunger 15, and suitable openings 37 through its side walls ,for egress of the sound'waves produced? by the vibration of the diaphragms. In Figs. 2 and 3 I show thesaid opening 37 in elongated circular holes, while in Figs. 1 and 4 I haveshownthe openings more in the form ota slot Cut'through the ring 17 and extending from. nea1- one portion of the plungeulii around tonear second portion oi} the said plunger. v

The plunger 15 has an outer end extending a suit-able distance rearwardly from the said diaphragm assembly and terminates in a suitable hand piece 38, and an inner endextending a suitable distance inwardly through the said diaphragm assembly and into the opening of the resonator 8, and has a suitable hole 39 transversely through the end thereof, into which hole is fitted one end'of a suitable coil sprii'ig t0, the other end of said springbeing suitably attached to a: bracketor fastening t1 fitted to one of the tongues 3 by means of a screw 42.

The spring s0 is in normal position when it is closed andits coils or scrolls lie close upon each other, and when in such position the plunger 15 will be extended outwardly in the direction or" the hand piece 38, as far as it will go.

As the plunger 15 is pressed inwardly or forwardly along through the guide holes 36, t 'e coil spring 4 0 will be forced to open out 'ongitudinally' and'against its tension,

and when said'inward pressure on the plunger l5is release'd, the said tension of the said springwill cause it to contract and closeup longitudinally, whereby the said plunger is forced. outwardly and rearwardly again and in position in which it is ready to receive the next thrust of the operator s hand. l

On ,the upper and lower sides or the sides next to the flat inner sides of the diaphragms 14 and 14, of the intermediate portion of the plunger 15 are suitable bevel teeth 4-3 extending cross-wise to the shank of the plunger, which teeth engage in regular order, when the said-plunger is movedv inwardly or outwardly, s t of the actuating springs 16 and 16, thereby forcing the said actuating spring outwardly andaway from the plunger 15, causing the hammers 41-5 to engage, by striking or pressing, the diaphragms 14 and 14 either directly pieces 81 centrally disposed thereon, thereby causing the said diaphragms to be deflexed and vibrated. The actuating springs 16, 16 may be made up of a plurality of individual members as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, and wherein I show a horn having two of said springs disposed above and two below, the plunger 1, while in the modified form illustrated by the Figs. Land 6, I make both the 3 upper and the lower sets of these springs out or one piece of metal, leaving the outer ends of the said springs integral with the margin of the disk from which they were out. In the latter form ll employ four spring menihers on the upper, and four on the lower, side of the plunger 15; however, any convenient and suitable number of said springs or spring members may be employed, The wedge-pieces 44 may be disposed upon the actuating springs 16, 16, in positions at ran dom relative to the bevel teeth 43, however, I prefer to so place them that they will more in regular and prearranged order, and so that each of the hammer pieces 45 will in regular order and one after the other regular intervals, engage the diaphragms 14; and 141-. Tn the regular form it show the wedge-pieces id attached to the actuating springs 16 and 16, a short distance out wardly from the inner ends of said springs, while in the modified form of the horn the wedge-pieces are disposed substantially at the inner ends of the said springs and integral with the hammerpieces The outer ends of the actuating springs 16 and 16, in both the regular and the modified forms of the horn, are seated directly upon the flat sides of the spacing ring 17.

And in the regular form the diaphragms 14 and 14 are seated directly against the fiat outer ends of the said actuating springs, while in the modified form I'emp oy intermediate upper and lower spacing rings 17 and 17 The said springs may, however, if so preferred, be attached directly to the flat sides of the diaphragms any suitable place inside of the margins of the said diaphragms. Upon the margins of the outer flat sides of th@ diaphragms 14 and 14 I'place a still-era ing ring 18 and 18, and disposed against the lower side of the stiffening ring 18", are insulating rings 19 and 19*, and interposed between said latter rings is an armature spring 25 and a contact spring 22, ana

against the lower side of the ring 19 the bevel. Wedge-piecesor by means of the wear fitted the yoke 21 of the said electromagnet assembly; the whole being securely fastened together by means of the screw-bolts 12 and 12 disposed in and through suitable holes 53 in the outer ends and margins of the said described members-and parts forming the said diaphragm assembly, the said screwbolts performing also functions hereinbefore mentioned.

It is intended that the diaphragm 14 may be agitated either by means of the handoperated plunger 15 or by means of the electromagnet element or assembly just above described; however I do not claim any part of the said electromagnet assembly as my invention, and any other suitable electromagnet element .may be employed.

In the particular form of electromagneteleme'nt illustrated, the path of the electric terminal 6, over the end of the coil wire attached to said terminal, thence through the coil 27, thence over the other end of the coil wire to the contact spring 22, thence to the armature 23, thence to the armature spring 25, thence to the knee-piece 28, thence over the wire 29 to the terminal 6 and to the battery or generator. In the means just described, it is understood that the contact spring 22 must be properly insulated. The magnetic flux path being formed by the core 27, yoke 21 and armature 23. It will be seen therefore, that when the horn is operated electrically, the core 27 will become charged magnetically and attract the armature 23,

which will cause the fingers 24 to engage the expanded head 30 which is connected with, or integral with, the wear-piece 31 attached, centrally, to the diaphragm 14*, thereby defleeting and vibrating the said diaphragm, the said armature at the same time separating it from contact with the contact spring '22 and thereby breaking the circuit, when the tension of the said armature spring 25 will force the armature 23 to return to normal position which is a prearranged distance from the core 20, and in engagement again with the contact spring 22. When it is desired to operate the horn by hand operated means, the plunger 15 is pushed or pressed forwardly into the horn and against the tension of the coil spring 40, which will engage the bevel teeth 43 with the wedge-pieces 14 attached to the actuating springs 16, 16 pressing or striking the said springs by means of the hammer pieces 45, against the diaphragms 14 and 1 1 defleeting and vibrating said diaphragms.

When the said pressure upon the plunger 15 is released, the tension of the then longitudinally expanded coil spring will force the said plunger outwardly and rearwardly again in' the direction of the hand piece 3 8,

as far as it will go, thereby engaging again 55 thewbevel teeth 43 with thewedge-pieces 44 current will be, presuming to begin at the mllder warn ng.

be used with which to give warning. The

horn may also be so constructed that one of the said means will produce a louder warning than the other, in which case the said louder means can be employed when it is desired to give a loud warning, and the other means employed when it is desired to give The two means could also be used jointly and at the same time, if desired Having thus described my invention, what I claim is: y

1. In a device of the kind described, the combination of a non-flexible resonator, a casing or covering, a vibratile diaphragm adapted when vibrated to sound warning signals, means for vibrating said diaphragm from one flat side thereof by electromagnetic attraction, and means whereby said diaphragm can be vibrated from the opposite fiat side thereof by manualoperable mechanism, either of said means being operatable inde )endently of theother, said manual operabie mechanism including an oper ating member extending out through the walls of said casing or covering and adapted for engagement with the hand of the operator.

2. Ina device of the kind described, the combination of a hollow non-flexible resonator, a casing or covering, means for securing said'resonator and said casing or covering together so as to form an inclosed chamber opening out through said hollow resonator, a vibratilediaphragm disposed inside said chamber, said diaphragm being adapted when vibrated to set up and emit sound waves adapted as signals, saidsound waves having egress through said hollow resonator, means whereby said diaphragm can be vibrated from-one flat side thereof by electromagnetic attraction, and means whereby said diaphragm can also be vibrated from the opposite flat side thereof by manually operatable mechanism, said mag iually operatable mechanism including an I operating member projecting out through the walls ofsaid chamber and adapted for engagement with the hand or the operator.

3. In a device of the kind described, the combination of a hollow non-flexible resonator, a casing or covering, means for securing said resonator and said casing or covering together so as to form an inclosed chamber having an exit through 'said resonator, a vibratile diaphragm disposed inside said chamber, said diaphragm being adapted when vibrated to produce sound waves intended as sound signals, said sound waves having egress from said chamber through said exit, electromagnetic means adapted when actuated to vibrate said diaphragm from one flat side thereof, and means whereby said diaphragm also can be vibrated l from the opposite flat side thereof by man ual energy independent of said electromagnetic means, said manual energy means including means projecting through the walls of said chamber adapted to be engaged by the hand of the operator, said resonator being adapted fol-amplifying said sound waves produced by said diaphragm when vibrate 4:. In a device of the kind described, the comblnation of a resonator, a casing or covering, a diaphragm adapted when vibrated to sound signals, electromagnetic means adapted for vibrating said diaphragm from one flat side thereof, and manual operable means adapted to vibrate said diaphragm from the opposite flat side thereof .by impinging said opposite flat side.

5. In a deviceof the kind described, the Y combinationof a resonator, a casing or covering, a vibratilediaphragm adapted when vibrated to sound signals, electromagnetic means adapted when actuated to vibrate said diaphragm from one flat side thereof, and manually operable means adapted to vibrate said diaphragm from the opposite iiat side thereofby tapping against said opposite side adjacent its center, said last mentioned means being operatable independently of said first mentioned means and includes a member extending through the Walls of said casing or covering adapted to be engaged by the operators hand when operating said manually operable means.

6. In a device of the kind described, including a vibratile diaphragm, means whereby said diaphragm can be vibrated either electromagnetically or by hand-operated means, said handoperable means including a plurality of flexible springs, and means whereby said springs can be impinged upon one flat side of said diaphragm thereby vibrating it.

7. In a device of the kind described, ineluding a hollow resonator, a casing or covering, a vibratable diaphragm adapted when vibrated to produce sound signals, said sound signals passing out through the longitudinal opening through said resonator, the combination with means whereby said diaphragm can bevibrated from one flat side thereof'by electromagnetic attra'ction, and means whereby said diaphragm also can be vibrated from the opposite side thereof by' hand-operated means independent of said first mentioned means, of a fiat-frame piece having a comparatively large central opening therethrough disposed between said resonator and said casing or covering, said framepiece having a mounting. portion whereby said device or horn can be rigidly and securely fastened to a suitable part oil a vehicle or the like.

8. In adevice of the kind described, the combination with a hollow resonator, a casing or covering, means for securing said resonator and said casing or covering together. "forming thereby an inclosed chamber having an exit through saidhollow resonator, a vibratable diaphragm adapted to pro duce sound signals when vibrated disposed inside said chamber, said sound signals having egress through said exit, and means disposed also inside said chamber whereby said diaphragm can be influenced from one fiat side thereof by electromagnetic means. and vibrated, of means whereby said diaphragm when not under said influence can be vibrated from the opposite side thereof by hand operated means, sai hand operable means being her with an operating member adapted to be engaged by the operators hand projecting a suitable distance out through the walls of said chamber.

9. In a horn of the character described, the combination of a hollow resonator, a casing or covering, means for securing the resonator and the casing or covering together forming thereby an inclosed chamber having an exit through said hollow resonator, a vibratile diaphragm disposed inside said chamber, the diaphragmbeing provided with a central wear piece, electro-magnetic means also diseluding a movable operating member extending out through the walls of the chamber.

10. In a horn of the character described, the combination of a resonator, a casing or covering, and a diaphragm, the diaphragm having a central Wear piece and being vibratable both by electrically" controlled means and by manually operable means, the last mentioned means being adapted to vibrate the diaphragm by engaging and disengaging alternately the said wear piece and is provided with a movable operating memberextending out through the walls of the. chamber.

11. In a horn of the character described,

the combination of a resonator, a casing or also disposed inside said champinging said wear piece, either of said means being operable independently of the other.

12. In a horn of the character described,

a hollow resonator, a casing or covering,

means for securing the casing or covering together forming thereby an inclosed chamher having an exit through'the resonator, a vibratile diaphragm disposed inside the chamber, electro-magnetic means disposed inside the chamber whereby the diaphragm can be vibrated by electro-magn etic attraction,

and manually operable means for vibrating the diaphragm independently "of said electromagnetic means, the manually operable means including a driven member, or driven members, supported by the horn independently of the-diaphragm and engageable with the diaphragm for vibrating it and a driving member for driving the driven member, or driven members, the driving member having a portion projecting out through the walls of the chamber adapted'to be engaged by the operators hand.

13. In a horn of the character described, a hollow resonator, a casing or covering, means for securing the casing or covering and the resonator together forming thereby an inclosed chamber having an exit through the resonator, a vibratile diaphragm disposed inside the' chamber, electro-magnetic means disposed inside the chamber whereby the diaphragm can be vibrated by electro-magnetic attraction, and manually operable means, the manually operable means including driven means supported by the horn independently of the diaphragm and engageable with the latter for vibrating it and driving means for driving the driven means, the driving means havinga portion projecting out through the walls of the chamber adapted to be engaged by the operators hand.

' 14. In a horn of the character described, a hollow resonator, a casing or covering, means for rigidly securing the casing or covering and the resonator together forming thereby .an inclosed chamber having an exit through the hollow resonator, a vibratile diaphragm disposed inside the chamber, electro-magnetic means supported by the horn whereby the diaphragm can be vibrated by ele tromagnetic attraction, and means supported also by the horn and operable independently J of said electromagnetic means whereby the diaphragm can be vibrated by manually controlled mechanism, the manually controlled mechanism embodying driven means supported by s born independentlv ot the diaphragm and engageable with the latter for vibrating, it and driving means for driving the driven means.

15. In a horn of the character described, the combination of a hollow resonator, a casing or covering, means for securing the resonator and the casing or covering together forming thereby an inclosed chamber having an exit through said resonator, a vibratile diaphragm disposed inside the chamber, means supported by the horn whereby the diaphragm can be vibrated by electromagnetic attraction, and means supported by the horn and movable relative thereto whereby the diaphragm can also be vibrated by manually operable mechanism, the manually operable mechanism being adapted to vibrate the diaphragm by alternately engaging and disengaging centrally one fiat side thereof and ineludes a hand engaging element extending .out through the walls of the chamber adapted to be engaged by the operators hand. I

16. In a horn of the character described, the combination of a resonator, a casing or covering, a vibratile diaphragm adapted when vibrated to sound warning signals, the diaphragm being provided with a central non flexible wear piece, electrically influ'enceable means supported by the horn whereby the diaphragm canbe vibrated by electrically influencing said means, and manually operable means supported by the horn and alternately engageable and disengageable with said wear-piece for vibrating the diaphragm.

17. In a horn of the character described a hollow resonator, a casing or covering, means for securing the resonator and the casing or covering together forming thereby an inclosed chan'lber having an exit through the resonator, a 'vibratile diaphragm adapted when vibrated .to sound warning signals, the diaphragm having a non-flexible central ear-piece or anvil, electrically controlled means supported by thehorn whereby the diaphragm can be vibrated by magnetically influencing the diaphragm and its wear-piece or anvil, and manually controllable means supported by. the horn whereby the diapliragm can be vibrated by manually operable and manually controlled means by ongaging said wear-piece or anvil with said last mentioncdmeans. A

18. In a horn of the character described, a hollow resonator, a casing or covering, means for seer 1g the resonator and the casing or coverir together, a pair of vibratile diaphragms adapted when vibrated to sound warning signals, electro-magnetie means for vibrating one oi the diaphragms, andnianua'lly operablemeans operable for vibrating the second one of the diaphragins.

19. In a horn of the character described, a hollow resonator, .a casing or covering,

' tile diaphragms supported .by the horn, the

diaphragms when vibrated being adapted to sound Warning signals, electro-magnetic means supported by the horn and adapted. for vibrating one of sald diaphragms, andv manually Operable means supported by the horn and operable for vibrating the second one-of said diaphragms.

20. In a horn of the character described, a hollow resonator, a casing or covering, means for securing the resonator and the leasing or covering together formingthereby an inclosed chamber having an exit through the hollow resonator, a pair or" vibratile diaphragms disposed inside the chamber, the

diaphragms adapted When vibrated to sound warning signals, electrically controlled. means for vibrating one of the diaphragms, and mechanically controlled means whereby the second one of said diaphr'agms'can be vibrated.

21. In a horn of the character described,

escapee a hollow resonator, casing or covering, means for securing the resonator and the casing or covering together forming thereby an inclosed chamber having an exit through the hollow resonator, a plurality of vibratile diaphragms disposed inside the chamber, the :liaphragms adapted when vibrated to sound Warning signals, electrically controlled means for vibrating one division of said diaphragms, and mechanically controlled means whereby the remaining division of said diaphragms can be vibrated I 22. In a horn of the character described, a hollow' resonator, a casing or covering, means for securing the resonator and the casing or covering together forming thereby an inclosed chamber having an exit through said hollow resonator, a vibratile diaphragm disposed inside the chamber and adapted to be vibrated by electro-magnetic attraction, and a second vibratile also inside said chamber and adapted to be vibrated by manually operable means.

GEURGE F. VGIGEIT,

diaphragm disposed. l 

